Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused the European Union on Wednesday of trying to overthrow his government, claiming Brussels is working to install a “puppet government” in Hungary. Orban made these remarks while addressing thousands in Budapest during a ceremony marking the 1956 uprising against Soviet repression.
“The EU finds Hungarian independent policies unacceptable,” Orban said, accusing Brussels of trying to undermine his administration. He likened the EU’s actions to Soviet oppression, echoing previous statements where he compared the bloc’s influence to that of the Soviet Union.
Orban, often regarded as Moscow’s closest ally in the EU, also suggested without evidence that Hungary could once again face foreign troops on its soil. Referring to Ukraine, he warned that “Slavic soldiers from the east” could be deployed to Hungary. His comments come amid rising tensions between Hungary and the EU, particularly over Hungary’s stance on Ukraine and its domestic policies.
Relations between Hungary and the EU have soured in recent years, with billions of euros in financial support frozen due to concerns about rule of law violations. Critics argue that Orban’s government has undermined democratic standards, while Budapest has accused the EU of overstepping its boundaries.
Hungary is also locked in drawn-out talks with the EU over aid to Ukraine, immigration policies, and allegations of misusing EU funds. Orban’s government has frequently clashed with Brussels on these issues, and Wednesday’s speech further emphasized the Hungarian leader’s defiance.
While Orban’s claims of EU interference remain unsubstantiated, they reflect his administration’s increasing isolation within the bloc, which has raised concerns over Hungary’s commitment to democratic principles.
